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Friday, March 22, 2013

Public Art -The Figge Museum and Ms.Alison Saar

The fluid is black oil. The facial features unmistakable. Racial affects defined so simply.
The fluid is black oil.  The facial features unmistakable.  What do you think the artist is saying about public "treatment?" 

Photograph of sculpture of nude female with antlers, suspended upside down.
The first work I saw, I was floored.

Photograph by Robin Peters of a sculptured nude female form with antlers suspended upside down from the ceiling tied at the feet.
I was so wanting to talk to someone about the antlers?  I have a few thoughts on it.  Lets debate.

Photograph by Robin Peters of a Sink filled with a black liquid. Above the sink, suspended by metal "still-like" tubing is a glass heart and above that a glass head half filled with black liquid. A bar of white soap and black soap on the old styled sink.
Notice the black soap and the white?  Direct dichotomy of color?  The heart is?

Photograph of the glass boxing gloves, mop, bucket from the front.
A Battle for Life and Respect?

Alison Saar metal sculpture of a woman nude, with antlers carrying another woman curled in the fetal position bound. Antlers are all around the standing figures feet. She holds her left breast with her right hand.
I so want to speak to the artist! Carrying self.  Shackled/tied and immobilized.

Photograph close up of glass Boxing Gloves. Blood red liquid inside.
Blood Red -- A fight for life?

Photograph by Robin Peters of Glass Boxing Gloves 3/4 full of red liquid, a mop and a bucket with a metal tube draining the liquid downward.
The blood drips into the cleaning bucket.  This was chilling standing in its aura!


Photograph of the Introduction of the Saar exhibit details.
The amazing artist.  Public art?  Communal accusations?

An Exhibit piece of a horse frame.
The material and color, I didn't do it justice.

Stained Glass Exhibit at the Figge Museum, Davenport, Iowa.
You can see the depth as if it is jumping out at you.  In person, the effect was so wild.  Had to try to capture it. How did I do?

A large wood carving of an African woman adorn.
Much larger then it appears in the photograph.  Scroll down for the  full reveal.

African wood carving by artist Acius Joseph
A Star in the East.  A Child is Born?

African Wood Carving by Artist Acius Joseph.
A  holy Child is born!


Photograph close up of African art wood carving face at the Figge Museum.
There is a sense of contemplation, comfort and resolution/acceptance?

Photograph of small sculpture wood carvings representing the nativity scene.

Photograph of African Art wood carvings with exaggerated extended body and neck. See my article the Picasso Effect to compare Picasso's fascination with the same use of exaggerated form.
Magnificent.  The artwork in the background is the piece I mentioned above about 4' tall.

Photograph taken by Robin Peters of the interior of Figge Museum. Stairs leading down.
Third floor to second floor.  Blending art and space?  Hey SFMOMA,  Your  Twitterchat on building design opened my eyes.  Before I stepped in to the Figge I stood outside and walked around the complete building.  Inside I focused on lighting and layout.  Thanks for the motivation to look at the "whole."

Photograph by Robin Peters of a series of looped bridges crossing the Mississippi River, Davenport, Iowa.
The Mississippi.  Bridges public art?  

Photograph taken by Robin Peters in a glass walkway which crosses to a casino in Davenport, Iowa near the Figge Museum.
Bridge Walkway to Casino on the Mississipi.  Escher!!!

Photograph from a fourth story walkway of the Mississippi River and the water control system.
The Mighty Mississippi!


Figge Museum, Davenport, Iowa.  You folk's have got it going on!!!  Thank you Ms. Lula, my producer, for all your homework and telling me this place was a must stop.

When I arrived at 225 W. 2nd the first glimpse of the Figge and its glass building portended what was about to occur me.  I walked to the front and stood looking at myself in the glass.  My image altered.  And the short time there affected my internal image.  I was not expecting such mind altering art.  Alison Saar, artist of the African art above, I want to interview you!  I love when I run into unexpected emotional interaction with art.  I mean, that is the point right?  You Figge'n Rock!!!

I took over 100 pictures while at the Figge.  Trying to not put all 100 here was a great struggle.  Ms. Saar, what else do you have for us hungry souls looking for more than flaccid art!  We art lovers looking for art that brings us to that point of personal internal confrontation? Make us struggle, and hurt, feel guilt or pity, exploring emotions untapped or even unknown to us.  We humans that watch American Idol and MTV foolishness.  So afraid of engaging life, we hide among the vapidness of "entertainment."  Not you Ms. Saar.  Your voice ringing loud and clear.  You are engaged and challenge us to do the same.

Anyone near the Figge, anyone that has a desire to see powerful work -- get up!  Drive, run, walk, bus, fly whatever...get to the Figge and see this.  Take a friend, share (public art) communicate, express your emotions and dig deep.  And for holy sake turn off the idiot box and walk into a world waiting to give you so much more.  If you can't get to the Figge, then go to a museum near you.  Every place I have stopped along this journey has delivered such surprise.  I am sure, right next to you, is an amazing adventure awaiting.  Ahhhh public art.  I want to devour all of you.




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